Litter louts prosecuted for dropping cigarette butts or can in Sunderland streets

Three Wearsiders are the latest to be prosecuted by Sunderland City Council for dropping litter in the centre of the city.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard two people had dropped cigarette ends and a third had left an empty drinks can on a seat.

Marie Dunn, 44, of Telford Road, Thorney Close, was prosecuted for littering with a drinks can on August 26 last year in Market Square.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colin Freeman, 64, of Neville Road, Pallion, was taken to court for dropping a cigarette end in Market Square on June 7 last year.

Sunderland Magistrates Court where three people have been prosecuted for dropping litterSunderland Magistrates Court where three people have been prosecuted for dropping litter
Sunderland Magistrates Court where three people have been prosecuted for dropping litter

And, Daniel Howell, 30, of Penn Square, Pallion, was prosecuted for dropping a cigarette end in High Street West on July 17 last year.

Tony Southwick, prosecuting on behalf of Sunderland City Council, said: “The Government has introduced legislation which places a duty on various bodies, including local authorities.”

He said in Sunderland the council has a fixed penalty notice for littering of £150, which is reduced to £95 if people pay straight away.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the case of Dunn, Mr Southwick said an environmental officer saw her leave the can at around 2pm.

He said: “She was drinking out of a can while sitting on a seat outside Burger King.

“He continued to watch and as she finished drinking she put the can down on the seat. She stood up leaving the drinks can and walked towards The Bridges.”

The officer approached Dunn and obtained her details. A fixed penalty notice was sent out, followed by two reminders, but no payment was made.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The magistrates’ found the case proved in her absence and fined her £150 as well as £248.50 costs and a £32 surcharge.

The case against Freeman was also proved in his absence and he was ordered to pay a fine of £150, as well a £270.50 in costs and a £30 surcharge.

Magistrates also found the case against Howell, who had been spotted by an environmental officer dropping a cigarette end in High Street West at around 2.30pm, proved in his absence. He was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £248.50 and a £32 surcharge.